Family

A year ago today, we were celebrating my sisters birthday in a rehabilitation center;
Honoring her life––while she was fighting for her life.
Overnight, a virus took away her ability to walk, talk, or hold her daughter.
My sister has always been a fighter.
Her tough exterior guards her sensitive and loyal heart.
Some of our family doubted in her ability to recover––I never lost Faith;
They don’t know my sister like I do.
A childhood spent in pure laughter or passionate fighting; neither one of us is afraid of extremes; but we always had each others back.
We moved around a lot when we were younger, so she was always my best friend.
When we became adults we were both preoccupied with building our own future––and forgot to check in with one another.
My sister’s hospitalization was a wake-up call for me;
This indépendant, talented, intelligent, creative, emotional, women––mother, daughter, sister, and friend, is one of the most important people in my life.
My love for her is unconditional and pure.
I’m so grateful that she has made a full recovery––the future looks bright;
But all we really have is the present, which is perfect, because it’s my sisters birthday. Happy Birthday Shiree. I love you.

Polluted!

It's a challenge to accept it, but my "little" cousin turned 21 yesterday!
I used to change her diapers.
Now, I'm changing out her empty beer cans.
My entire family is in Las Vegas to celebrate the epic event.
I choose the word "epic" because twenty-five family members in the same city, sharing the same hotel, drinking and celebrating has it's fireworks!
Nevertheless, we partied until 1 AM,
Shelby, my cousin, was still standing at the end of the night, too.
Never mind the fact that she was being held up by her boyfriend and her mom.
Yep, that's how we roll in our family.
Through life's ups and downs, my family will rally to make sure you're always on your feet.
(...and heavily polluted!)
#GramsWordNotMine

Non Dairy

I woke up to a painful side-ache...
A reminder that I'm getting older and have to give up some of my favorite foods.
Happy Birthday!
Now, say goodbye to cheese...

You Know You're Italian...

When you commit to cooking a homemade spaghetti dinner for twenty-five people to serve at your dear friends birthday party!
Mama Mia!!! What did I get myself into?

It's A Viral Birthday!

Wow! I never imagined turning thirty-four could be so much fun.

Thanks to the social media world we live in, it's hard not to feel special on your birthday...

Starting around 3 am, my iPhone alerts were off the charts;

By the time I rolled out of bed, around 8:30 am, I'd already received birthday well wishes from friends in several different countries!

You can say what you want about todays society spending less time interacting-

But today was proof to me that Facebook can also be used for good.

Who doesn't like waking up to hundreds of birthday well wishes?

I can honestly say, I felt the love of my online friends;

Some are lifelong friends, others are people I met out socially, and others are people I've never met but support my work- 

That's the beauty of a social world... 

The ability to reach out to people who make us laugh, think and inspire.

I was sincerely inspired by the energy I've experienced today!

I'm grateful today is already a Happy Birthday!

It's My Birthday and I'll Smile If I Want To!

Thank God for the creation of Facebook!

Nothing makes you feel better when turning thirty-two, than to click on your Facebook page and see all of the amazing love you get from your friends!

I was overwhelmed with the kind words and well-wishes!

It's no surprise to anyone in their thirties and beyond, how fast the time goes!

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel today, turning another year older...

But I can honestly say that I have a smile from ear to ear, thanks to all of the amazing people I have in my life!

I was reminded today, thanks to Facebook and all of my friends that; "Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world." -William James

I love that quote! The use of the word "wherever" resonates loud and clear.

No matter your age, occupation, successes, failures, adventures or anything else life throws at us...

Our friendships see us through until the end!

May Day! ...and my Birthday Month!

May 1st! May Day! Or as I like to call it, the first day of my Birthday Month!

Yes, that is correct...

I'm a May baby. May fourth to be exact.

However, I'm the type of person who thinks birthdays should be celebrate all month long...

Is that too much to ask?

I guess I have my family to blame-

They always threw a huge parade in my home town every year on my birthday...

It was a weekend long celebration that rivaled something Disneyland would produce!

Marching bands from across the state, a city block's worth of culinary delights, banners and streamers hung across Main Street, a petting zoo, baton girls, clowns, a face painting booth, arcade games and carnival rides galore!

The fact that the parade was actually a "Blossom Day Parade" and not my "Birthday Parade" was something everyone in my family kept a secret from me until I could read, and finally asked how come all the signs didn't have my name on them?...

You can imagine the shock when I realized that this parade which had marked the kick-off of my birthday for so many years, was not for me, but for some stupid "blossoms" on trees that the entire city felt needed more attention than my birth!

I guess I really never had a chance at a "normal" life after that...

I mean really-- Once you've been lead to believe a three day festival of decadent food, brass bands and lavish floats is all in honor of your birth... an ice cream cake from Baskin Robins and a small gathering in Grandma's back yard is just not the same!

Birthday Parties

Birthday parties in LA-

They're crazy because you forget your friends have other friends...

It's so fun to sit back and watch them all figure it out!